Solitary Toss of Tenderness

If one day, you have courage

Jiang Huaixi was awakened in the middle of the night by the sound of rain.

She opened her blurry eyes, and the first sensation she felt was the soft touch in her arms. Lowering her gaze, she saw Lu Zizheng curled up tightly in her embrace. Evidently, Lu Zizheng must have felt cold.

Outside the window, accompanied by the sound of waves, was the pouring rain. Jiang Huaixi lifted her head slightly and saw the white window curtains swaying gently in the cool breeze.

With deep and contemplative eyes, Jiang Huaixi looked at Lu Zizheng, who was sleeping soundly. She gazed at the slightly furrowed brows due to the discomfort from the cold, the pouting lips, and couldn’t help but draw closer slowly. Despite the coolness of her features, they revealed an extraordinary tenderness in the darkness of the night. Her lips curved with a gentle smile, and as she lifted her head slightly, she pressed a soft kiss on Lu Zizheng’s forehead, her heart content with the gesture.

Then, Jiang Huaixi carefully and gradually extracted her own beautiful long hair, which had been pinned under Lu Zizheng, and with gentle movements, she lifted the blanket and got out of bed. Afterwards, she meticulously tucked the blanket around Lu Zizheng, leaving no gap untouched.

Just as she stepped off the bed and stood upright, Jiang Huaixi couldn’t help but inhale a sharp breath of cold air and instinctively clutched her left side waist.

It seemed like her cold was slowly getting better; she had gradually stopped coughing, which led Lu Zizheng to dance around in celebration. However, ever since the coughing improved, Jiang Huaixi noticed that every morning when she woke up, there was a pulling pain on her left rib, which made it difficult for her to straighten up immediately. Yet, not wanting to worry Lu Zizheng, she had never mentioned it to her.

Pressing her hand against her side and furrowing her brows, Jiang Huaixi stood still for a moment until she felt the pain gradually subside, allowing her to slowly straighten her posture.

Worried about disturbing Lu Zizheng who might be a light sleeper, she tiptoed without shoes, taking soft and gentle steps towards the bed. She carefully approached the bedside and gently closed the wide-open window, preventing the cold breeze from entering.

Just as she turned around, Jiang Huaixi suddenly halted in her movements. Her body stiffened, and a pained expression crossed her face as she bit her lip and slightly bent over, the discomfort causing her to wince.

In her half-asleep state, Lu Zizheng seemed to realize that the person beside her was no longer there. Murmuring softly, she called out, “Huaixi?”

Jiang Huaixi, enduring the pain, hurriedly walked to the bedside. She gently lifted the covers and climbed onto the bed, sitting against the headboard. With her head lowered, she reached out and tenderly held Lu Zizheng’s head, soothing her in a soft voice, “I’m here.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Zizheng contentedly nuzzled against Jiang Huaixi’s waist, embracing her. Once again, she drifted into a peaceful and deep sleep.

Jiang Huaixi bit her lip, her fingers softly caressing Lu Zizheng’s cheek. Her gaze was gentle as water, and the beauty of Lu Zizheng’s face, partially obscured by her long hair, was both tender and melancholic.

Beloved in the heart, cherished in the person. Flower in the mirror, moon in the water. Deep affection, shallow fate, fearing it may be difficult to grow old together.

Zizheng, how can I ensure that in the limited time of this lifetime, I give you everything I have? So that when you think of me, your lips only curl upward, without regrets or lingering sorrows?

Truly, I wish so much, so much, to be able to stay by your side a little longer…

Xu Baitao, amidst Xu Baihan’s panic, first helped Xu Baihan into the car, then carefully lifted Jiang Wang into the vehicle. He adjusted the seat, allowing Jiang Wang to recline.

Xu Baihan found a blanket and covered Jiang Wang with it. Holding Jiang Wang’s head, she gazed at the traces of blood on her face left behind by the sea, tears streaming down uncontrollably.

Gently, she used tissues to wipe away the blood and sweat from Jiang Wang’s forehead, urging Xu Baitao to drive faster, even faster. Eventually, she couldn’t help but scold him, “Baitao, the injuries on Yun Bo… you’ve really gone too far. How could you be so reckless and without restraint…”

At that moment, right after rescuing Xu Baihan, Xu Baitao saw Jiang Wang hurrying over. His heart was filled with anger and resentment, and in that moment, he was driven by emotions rather than reason. He paid no heed to the severity of his actions during the initial strikes; they were fierce blows. When he saw Jiang Wang faint, he gradually felt regret and fear. However, under Xu Baihan’s stern rebuke, he couldn’t help but feel a bit wronged.

Driving the car with a furrowed brow, he glanced at Xu Baihan, who was currently focused on Jiang Wang and looking satisfied. Then he looked at his own arms, covered in scratches, and the lower part of his body that was still slightly painful. Unable to hold back, he retorted, “But she hit me pretty hard too, sis. I don’t even know if you’ll have any nieces left…”

Xu Baihan’s hand, which had been gently wiping Jiang Wang’s face, stiffened slightly. She fell into an awkward silence for a moment before sighing deeply and managed to say, “Let’s go check on her together later. But from now on, no matter what, you’re not allowed to lay a hand on Yun Bo.”

Xu Baitao furrowed his brow, his grip on the steering wheel tightening. He expressed his displeasure, “But sis, sometimes she really goes too far!”

Xu Baihan lowered her head and gently kissed Jiang Wang’s forehead, treating her like a precious retrieved treasure. She spoke earnestly and resolutely, “Baitao, no matter what, I’m willingly accepting all this. She’s not wrong.”

From her gaze, Xu Baitao understood the unspoken meaning behind Xu Baihan’s words. Their emotions didn’t require outside judgment or interference. This was the first time he had seen his sister, Xu Baihan, with such a resolute and piercing look, devoid of its previous tenderness. In an instant, it was as if he understood. She had truly found what she wanted to protect, so she would no longer be weak, compromise, or acquiesce.

For a moment, Xu Baitao didn’t know whether he should feel happy or sad. In the end, he only said, “I’m sorry, sis. As long as she treats you well, I will always stand by your side to support you. But if she dares to hurt you again, no matter what, I won’t let her go.”

Xu Baihan looked at the stubborn and tall figure before her, her gaze gradually softening. Eventually, she softened her tone and guided, “Baitao, if she ever lets me down one day, that will be an issue between the two of us. You have to trust me that I can handle it. She is your sister as well as mine. What you should do is love her like you love me, protect her, and not favor one over the other.”

Xu Baitao clenched his lips and remained silent for a while. Suddenly, a call came in, and he glanced at the caller ID before hurriedly answering.

It was their mother calling, and her voice carried a trembling fear and panic that Xu Baitao had never heard before. She urgently and anxiously questioned, “Where’s Baihan? Where’s your sister? Where is she?!” After receiving Xu Baitao’s inquiry about Xu Baihan’s whereabouts, she felt alarmed and flustered, quickly instructing the driver to rush to the resort.

After enduring anxious anticipation, they finally arrived at the resort. Inside the villa, what awaited her was just that letter, one that filled her with even more fear and terror, causing her body to momentarily go weak, almost fainting.

Hearing their mother’s nearly crumbling voice, Xu Baitao quickly reassured her that Xu Baihan was safe. He comforted their mother and informed her, “Sis is okay, but there have been some unexpected developments. We’re heading to the nearest Yurong Hospital right now.”

After exchanging a few more reassurances, Xu Baitao ended the call, unable to help but sigh, “Sis, you really scared Mom. I’ve never heard her sound so out of control and panicked.”

Xu Baihan clenched her lips, holding onto Jiang Wang’s hand, and lowered her head with a sense of guilt.

At the hospital, Jiang Wang was swiftly taken into the emergency room. The doctor inquired about the details and conducted preliminary examinations, confirming that Jiang Wang wasn’t in immediate danger. They carefully inspected her wounds and decided to perform a CT scan to further assess her condition.

Xu Baitao had Xu Baihan wait in the emergency room, but Xu Baihan was unwilling to leave Jiang Wang’s side for even a moment. Pushing a wheelchair, she nervously followed Jiang Wang around.

When the CT results came out, they indicated that Jiang Wang had a fractured right leg and a dislocated left hand. At that moment, Xu Baihan couldn’t hold back her tears as her heart ached. She didn’t know when Jiang Wang had sustained the injuries, and she had no idea what kind of determination Jiang Wang possessed to repeatedly stand up and walk towards the sea, towards her, in such a condition, until finally succumbing to pain and exhaustion.

Upon hearing the results, Xu Baitao was also in a state of panic and guilt. Holding the report in his hand, he lowered his head and, after a moment, apologized in a subdued voice, “Sis, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…”

Xu Baihan looked at Jiang Wang on the hospital bed, their fingers intertwined. She pressed her lips together, sniffled, and then with a hoarse voice, she shook her head to comfort Xu Baitao, “Baitao, I don’t blame you, it’s okay…”

Xu Baitao was about to say something else when the urgent sound of high heels echoed outside the emergency room. In the next moment, they saw their mother practically rushing into the room.

The moment Mother Xu saw Xu Baihan, her body swayed, almost stumbling. Thankfully, Xu Baitao acted quickly and caught her. However, as soon as she regained her balance, she pushed away Xu Baitao’s hand and hurriedly made her way towards Xu Baihan.

Xu Baihan looked at her disheveled appearance, so different from her usual composed and graceful demeanor. Her eyes welled up with tears in an instant, and she choked out, “Mom…”

Mother Xu reached out and tightly embraced Xu Baihan, pressing her face against her daughter’s. Finally, unable to hold back any longer, she began to cry. In her heart, there were so many questions she wanted to ask Xu Baihan, but in this moment, all she could manage was a choked utterance, “As long as you’re okay, it’s okay. You scared Mom to death…”

With one hand, Xu Baihan held onto her mother tightly, and with the other, she hugged her back just as tightly.

After a while, Mother Xu suddenly released Xu Baihan and anxiously looked her up and down, worriedly asking, “Baitao said you had an accident and came to the hospital. What happened? Are you hurt somewhere?”

Xu Baitao paused, and so did Xu Baihan.

Seeing Xu Baihan biting her lip, seemingly hesitant about how to respond, Xu Baitao opened his mouth, intending to defuse the situation for Xu Baihan. He planned to guide Mother Xu out first, allowing Xu Baihan some time to calm down and better handle the upcoming situation.

However, unexpectedly, Xu Baihan acted before him. She calmly and seriously answered Mother Xu, “Mom, I’m fine, I’m not hurt. It’s Yun Bo who got injured.”

Mother Xu was taken aback, her face turning pale. She couldn’t help but ask in disbelief, “What are you saying? Yun Bo?” At this moment, she noticed that one of Xu Baihan’s hands had been tightly holding the hand of a beautiful woman lying pale and unconscious on the hospital bed. Her eyes widened, and it was as if she suddenly understood something…

Xu Baihan glanced at Jiang Wang, who lay peacefully on the bed, tightly holding her hand. In her heart, a boundless courage slowly began to rise.

“Yun Bo, I’m no longer afraid, no longer retreating. I want to give you love that’s upright and unyielding.”

Xu Baihan lifted her head, locking eyes firmly with Mother Xu. With determination and courage, she said, “Mom, I’ve finally reunited with Yun Bo. I’m sorry for deceiving you for so many years. Throughout these years, the burden on my conscience hasn’t just been guilt; it’s been the despair of losing a lover. Mom, Yun Bo and I are in a romantic relationship. Since I was sixteen, I’ve given her my heart and soul.”

She continued, “I’m sorry, Mom. I fell in love with a woman, with my own cousin. However, I have no regrets in this lifetime, and my determination remains unwavering!”

Mother Xu looked at the resolute Xu Baihan, her mind buzzing. She couldn’t help but step back in a daze, and suddenly, someone behind her steadied her. In her ears, her husband’s voice sounded stern and severe as he questioned, “Xu Baihan, what did you just say?!”